Valve has introduced new requirements for developers publishing games on Steam, including a mandatory step that requires them to launch and run their games through the Steam client for at least five minutes before release.
The change is part of an updated Steam release checklist intended to prevent technical problems that could affect customers downloading newly published games.
Although Valve has not directly linked the requirement to the growing number of AI-generated games, the decision arrives as automated development tools make creating and publishing software faster.
The new rule applies to developers preparing games for release through Steam, regardless of how those games were developed.
Steam Developers Must Test Their Games for at Least Five Minutes
Under the updated requirements, developers must launch their games through Steam and keep them running for at least five minutes.
Valve says the purpose is to ensure that games work correctly when installed and launched through its platform.
A game might function properly when launched directly from a developer's computer but encounter problems when distributed through Steam.
These issues can result from missing files, incorrect installation settings or integration problems involving the Steam client.
The new requirement introduces a basic verification step before publication.
However, running a game for five minutes does not guarantee that it is free from bugs or that all gameplay features function correctly.
It primarily helps identify problems affecting installation and initial startup.
AI-Generated Games Are Creating New Challenges for Digital Storefronts
The change comes amid growing concerns about the increasing volume of games developed using generative AI tools.
AI-assisted programming has made it easier to create software, modify existing games and develop unofficial ports.
However, this accessibility has also raised concerns about the quality and originality of submissions arriving on digital distribution platforms.
Independent gaming platform Itch.io has reportedly experienced a doubling of daily game submissions over the past two months.
Steam has also introduced additional release checklist requirements, although Valve has not explicitly identified AI-generated content as the reason behind the five-minute testing rule.
The company continues to maintain disclosure requirements covering certain uses of artificial intelligence in games.
For developers, the updated checklist adds another verification step before releasing their projects.
For customers, it could reduce the likelihood of downloading games that fail to launch correctly.
However, the effectiveness of the requirement will depend on how consistently developers follow it and whether Valve introduces further quality controls.
The update reflects the growing importance of basic software testing as development tools make publishing games increasingly accessible.
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